One more thing....

The post for today, Tuesday, August 16, 2011 will be up as soon as we can get it here.


Thanks,

Catherine

Rome, Open City

Few of us have evr experienced the grandeur of a Roman sunrise. That sum-up of the word "morning" coupled with the extra poignancy of morning prayer all preceeded the hectic events of Day 3 of our pilgrimage.

As it so happens, today is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Unlike in America, it is a national holiday in Italy (resulting in satisfying souvenir discounts). Less people (supposedly; it was still crowded) filled the suares in which we and our tour guides traversed. We forced ourselves to endure the intense heat of the open city, not to mention the intense history lectures of our guides. The Forum and the Colosseum were, of course, as spectacular as always.

Rome is an ancient city speckled with churches, ruins, small snack bars, and of course tourists. To fully appreciate the sheer beauty of Rome, one must wake up to see the sunrise and take time off in the evening for the sunset, and in between those times the city of Rome will take you over. Today was one of those days that took me (Cliff) over. The heat was bearable but a nuisance, especially in the sun. What I would reflect on is the impact the city of Rome has on the world. It is the eternal city. The ancient forums point to the systems of government that many states have adopted today. The Colosseum, despite the gore, shows a love for competition and sports, maybe even virtues of sportsmanship, honor, and courage. And there are the churches. The Church's impact and centralization in Rome and the world is apparent. The Church has patronized art, science, and the truth for centuries and still is the bastion of these fields today. Rome is a place of beauty and wonder and cannot be explored in a lifetime, but one pilgrimage to the eternal city will lead you to love the city as well as appreciate your own.


Cliff and Renard

All Roads Lead to Rome

For Sunday, August 14, 2011

As we awoke from our well deserved R & R in new Assisi, we enjoyed a continental breakfast and quested into the scorching hot European sun to reach the awesome ciy of Old Assisi on top of a hill. Our first stop was St. Claire's Basilica, the actual place where St. Francis got his epiphany to rebuild the Catholic Church. Neat, right?? We did get to see her tomb, which was a statue in her likeness, but not the super special crucifix that St. Francis got his message from. But that was all good because we got to see the birth place of St. Francis and the rest of his Basilica which, if you ask us, he totally deserved a lot.
So after our free roam in Assisi, which had awesome trinkets and really high and steep stairs, we made our long, 3 hour bus ride to Rome, so we can roam...That city. Yup.

It's been said that all roads lead to Rome, and that couldn't be more true! Rome is massive! From the Circus Maximus, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain. And let us tell you, the postcards do not do them justice at all. They are breathtakingly nig and super awesome. Then afterwards, we went to Our Lady of Guadeloupe Church, near our hotel, which was really cool since the walls were painted with the various Madonnas of the world.

We head back into Rome tomorrow, which is (again) awesome, but please pray for us that the sun will be kind, because it isn't. As for the hotel, it is beyond awesome and we have three more days, so that is definitely good.

Until next time, Ciao!


Bill, Cody, Angie, and Elise

One moment please...

Due to time constraints, we have been unable to post the newest blogs. Please stand by while we get them p for you.

Thanks,

Catherine

Assissi At Last!

We got up really, super early, then we went to the airport and got in a really confusing line and checked in. We went through security without any problems (of course) and promptly boarded the plane. We watched "Kung Fu Panda 2" and it was AWESOME!!!!! After four hours, some sleep, and many new friends, the first flight arrived in Chicago.
Marni's take on the flight: "...don't remember. Too sleepy. I slept the whole way. Or at least I tried to."

We immediately congregated for prayer and then split to eat and use the restroom. Several of us decided to play ninja, an activity game, and soon enough we were joined by a group of pilgrims from El Paso, Texas.

By 2:00 pm, the second flight arrived. We finished up our meals and had Mass. Right there. At gate K19. In Chicago, Illinois.

We have no information about the second flight from Seattle. Apparently everyone slept.

Marni's thoughts on the next flight: "I'm happy and depressed that the next flight serves breakfast and dinner. Happy because it's food, depressed because I don't want to sit in a plane and have both BREAKFAST and DINNER on the same flight!"

Our second flight was filled with restful slumber for some and sleepness nightmares for others. Needless to say, we were all groggy as we raced through the Madrid Barajas airport to catch our connecting flight to Rome just in the nick of time. Our last flight lasted a mere one and a half hours, which seemed like seconds after our previous flight.

Upon arrival in Rome, we immediately boarded a bouble-decker bus and took a three hour drive to Assissi. We had Mass in the Basilica, near the tomb of St. Francis. We finished our first evening with Vespers and a light dinner of spaghetti.

That's all for now!

Raquel, Adam, Leah, Marni and Arielle

4 Days!!!

Hello friends and family!

After months upon months of preparation, spaghetti dinners, bingo nights, pancake breakfasts, soccer tournaments, (I can go on and on about how many fundraisers we did), the big day approaches, and now we only have 3 left!!

Are YOU excited?